Government borrowing swells to new high
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Government borrowing swelled by £13 billion last month to take overall net debt to its highest proportion of UK output since records began, official figures showed today.
Public sector net borrowing in June saw the nation's net debt soar to £798.8 billion, which is equivalent to a record 56.6 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
June's borrowing was £5.5 billion higher than the £7.5 billion seen a year ago, which also marked a record for the month.
The ONS data revealed the impact of recession on tax receipts, with corporation tax takings plunging by 14.1 per cent, VAT by 15.9 per cent and income tax by 3.9 per cent.
But spending rose again as the Government sought to tackle the economic woes, with social benefit outlays up 9.7 per cent to £13.3 billion as it pumped more cash into unemployment benefit payouts.
Total Government outlay over June hit £49 billion, up from £44.2 billion a year earlier, while total receipts fell 5.7 per cent to £35.5 billion.
Today's figures paint a stark picture of UK public finances and come amid mounting concern over borrowing levels.
Bank of England Governor Mervyn King recently highlighted concerns, branding the Government's borrowing levels "extraordinary".
Chancellor Alistair Darling predicts net borrowing over the year as a whole will hit £175 billion.
But economists fear it could reach as high as £190 billion this year as the Government seeks to spend its way out of recession.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments